It’s also about money, and that’s where the confusion comes in regarding payrolls, salaries, etc. So I thought it was prudent of me to clear up some of this.

Last week in my Rockies’ mailbag I wrote:

FYI, according to my figures, the Rockies’ total payroll for 2013 was just under $74 million, ranking them 24th in baseball. The Rockies averaged 34,491 fans a game at Coors Field, 10th best in the majors and fifth best in the National League.

Carlos Gonzalez and Rockies trainer Keith Dugger were dealing with another injury. He aggravated his finger injury again Wednesday night in Atlanta, but the outfielder said he will not go on the DL. (File Photo by Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

ATLANTA — The standings offer a reprieve. The Rockies fell eight games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, presenting a chance to place Carlos Gonzalez on the disabled list without much debate.

But given the option, Gonzalez turned it down just hours after he re-aggravated the sprained ligament on his right middle finger during his first at-bat. X-Rays showed the same injury as before, leaving Gonzalez to press on, albeit with frequent interruptions.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Todd Helton walked into the dugout following the fifth inning, and fist-bumped manager Walt Weiss. He didn’t ask for an oxygen mask, but could have given the amount of time he spent running the bases. Helton’s explosive 4-for-4 performance highlighted a 26-hit attack as the Rockies squashed the Indians.

Helton was the center of the Rockies’ seven-run second inning, singling twice. Helton is batting .435 in 23 at-bats this spring. He figured he needed around 25 at-bats this spring to be ready for the regular season. Wilin Rosario also delivered two hits off Brett Myers, who looked like he would rather be eating shards of glass than wearing a 10-run, 14-hit line.

[media-credit name=”John Leyba” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] World War ll planes fly over Salt River Fields at Talking Stick before the Rockies’ spring opener against the Diamondbacks. Colorado won 11-2.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — For pitchers, spring is more about repetition than optimism. Finding the right arm slot. Synchronizing the delivery. It can be boring, but in Christian Friedrich’s case it is welcome.

The left-hander threw off the mound Saturday, and will throw a bullpen session Monday as he inches closer to pitching in a game. A stiff back left him a couple of weeks behind the other pitchers, but Friedrich believes he has time to enter the fifth-starter’s derby.

“That’s what they said. This is a long camp. I can’t wait to join the other guys,” Friedrich said. “I feel stronger.”

After a terrific debut victory over San Diego, Friedrich finished 5-8 with a 6.17 ERA, winning just one of his final 10 starts before landing on the disabled list with a stress fracture in his back. Friedrich was effective on the road, particularly his curveball, which is why Tampa Bay has discussed him in trade talks.

“I am not worried about any of that. I want to pitch. I am looking forward to PFP (pitcher fundamentals practice), to getting back out there with my teammates,” Friedrich said.

He has been throwing all of his pitches on flat ground, but just concentrated on fastballs on Saturday. He has stayed away from rotational exercises for a few weeks. As a preventive measure, he’s not expected to swing a bat for awhile. Friedrich is competing with Drew Pomeranz, Tyler Chatwood and Chris Volstad for the fifth starter’s spot. The Rockies continue exploring the trade market and have discussed Jeff Niemann with Tampa Bay.

Footnotes
Troy Tulowitzki said his surgically-repaired left leg felt strong Sunday after his spring debut. Tulo will workout Sunday, but not play in the game. He went 1-for-2 with an RBI on Saturday and ran the bases without any problems. “All signs are good. It’s encouraging,” he said. … Sunday’s game will be broadcast by 850KOA.

The Rockies avoided arbitration with center fielder Dexter Fowler on Monday, signing Fowler to a two-year, $11.6 million contract.

The center fielder — who hit a career-best .300 with .389 on-base percentage and .475 slugging percentage last season — is thrilled to have the contract signed, sealed and delivered. Now, he said, he can get on with the business of baseball.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.